Renal disease is a major complication frequently seen with long term diabetes.
Nearly 230 000 Americans suffer from ESRD, and each year that number grows by
approximately 8%. The mortality rate of ESRD patients is very high, approximately 20% per
year. Waiting time for a kidney transplant may be as long as 4 years. Not everyone
qualifies for a transplant and unfortunately, many die while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis
is typically received in 3 4-hour treatments. Dialysis extends life, but it is very grueling and
difficult. Lynchburgh Nephrology offers a Nightly Home Hemodialysis Program (NHHP).
Patients dialyze 6-10 hours per night as they sleep, 6 nights per week. This enables more
gentle and complete filtration. Since NHHD more closely parallels native kidney function,
patients experience an improved quality of life, increased well-being and fewer treatment
related symptoms during dialysis. They take fewer blood pressure medications, do not use
phosphate binders, have fewer hospitalizations and enjoy a healthier, more independent
lifestyle. Dialyzing at night gives the patients more freedom to pursue educational and work
opportunities. (see Lynchburg Nephrology for more information)
In the words of a NHHD patient,"Nightly Home Hemodialysis has given me my life back".
In 2001 the "Kidney Patient Daily Dialysis Quality Act of 2001" was introduced with the goal
of allowing Medicare to pay for more frequent home or in-center dialysis. Still not approved,
it is H.R. 1004, Kidney Patient Daily Dialysis Quality Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII
(Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services
to publish final regulations for equivalent per treatment prospective payment rates for more
frequent hemodialysis treatments furnished to qualified individuals at home and in a facility
(composite Method I and Method II Cap rates).
Sponsor: Rep Jim McDermott [WA-7] (introduced 2/27/2003) Cosponsors (27)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health
In 2003 there were approximately 15,000 kidney and 860 kidney/pancreas transplants
performed, Despite this, in April 2004 there were 57,199 people still on the kidney
transplant waiting list.
Some elect to have a kidney/pancreas transplant - effectively ending their diabetes as well
as their kidney failure. My brother received a kidney/pancreas transplant in August 1993.
While he has had some difficulties he is doing well, working full time (as he did during
dialysis as well), and very grateful for the gift of life he was given. Each year we thankfully
celebrate this "birthday".
What You Can Do:
Become an organ donor and discuss this decision with your family.
Support the activities of the Congressional Kidney Caucus
3 Virginians die each week waiting for an organ transplant - go to www.save7lives.org
to sign-up as a Virginia donor.
To learn more, visit:
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
UNOS
The Gift of a Lifetime - Organ and Tissue Transplantation in America
Nearly 230 000 Americans suffer from ESRD, and each year that number grows by
approximately 8%. The mortality rate of ESRD patients is very high, approximately 20% per
year. Waiting time for a kidney transplant may be as long as 4 years. Not everyone
qualifies for a transplant and unfortunately, many die while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis
is typically received in 3 4-hour treatments. Dialysis extends life, but it is very grueling and
difficult. Lynchburgh Nephrology offers a Nightly Home Hemodialysis Program (NHHP).
Patients dialyze 6-10 hours per night as they sleep, 6 nights per week. This enables more
gentle and complete filtration. Since NHHD more closely parallels native kidney function,
patients experience an improved quality of life, increased well-being and fewer treatment
related symptoms during dialysis. They take fewer blood pressure medications, do not use
phosphate binders, have fewer hospitalizations and enjoy a healthier, more independent
lifestyle. Dialyzing at night gives the patients more freedom to pursue educational and work
opportunities. (see Lynchburg Nephrology for more information)
In the words of a NHHD patient,"Nightly Home Hemodialysis has given me my life back".
In 2001 the "Kidney Patient Daily Dialysis Quality Act of 2001" was introduced with the goal
of allowing Medicare to pay for more frequent home or in-center dialysis. Still not approved,
it is H.R. 1004, Kidney Patient Daily Dialysis Quality Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII
(Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services
to publish final regulations for equivalent per treatment prospective payment rates for more
frequent hemodialysis treatments furnished to qualified individuals at home and in a facility
(composite Method I and Method II Cap rates).
Sponsor: Rep Jim McDermott [WA-7] (introduced 2/27/2003) Cosponsors (27)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health
In 2003 there were approximately 15,000 kidney and 860 kidney/pancreas transplants
performed, Despite this, in April 2004 there were 57,199 people still on the kidney
transplant waiting list.
Some elect to have a kidney/pancreas transplant - effectively ending their diabetes as well
as their kidney failure. My brother received a kidney/pancreas transplant in August 1993.
While he has had some difficulties he is doing well, working full time (as he did during
dialysis as well), and very grateful for the gift of life he was given. Each year we thankfully
celebrate this "birthday".
What You Can Do:
Become an organ donor and discuss this decision with your family.
Support the activities of the Congressional Kidney Caucus
3 Virginians die each week waiting for an organ transplant - go to www.save7lives.org
to sign-up as a Virginia donor.
To learn more, visit:
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
UNOS
The Gift of a Lifetime - Organ and Tissue Transplantation in America
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